paul
Team Owner
Mitsubishi has announced that the Marlboro sponsorship of the Mitsubishi Ralliart team will cease at the end of the 2002 World Rally Championship season.
The tobacco brand has backed Mitsubishi since 1999 but the two organisations stress the decision to part company was mutal.
"Through its World Rally Championship team, Mitsubishi Motors and Marlboro have worked together very closely over the last four years and have enjoyed much success during that time," said Ralliart chairman Andrew Cowan. "However, we now feel that the time has come to move on and we wish them well for the future,"
"This new direction will give us the possibility to help building further direct awareness for the brand through motor sports, at a time where it is being revisited and revitalised."
As revealed yesterday, Marlboro is expected to back likely title contender Peugeot from the start of the 2003 campaign, but Mitsubishi says it will continue business as usual for the remainder of this season.
The tobacco brand has backed Mitsubishi since 1999 but the two organisations stress the decision to part company was mutal.
"Through its World Rally Championship team, Mitsubishi Motors and Marlboro have worked together very closely over the last four years and have enjoyed much success during that time," said Ralliart chairman Andrew Cowan. "However, we now feel that the time has come to move on and we wish them well for the future,"
"This new direction will give us the possibility to help building further direct awareness for the brand through motor sports, at a time where it is being revisited and revitalised."
As revealed yesterday, Marlboro is expected to back likely title contender Peugeot from the start of the 2003 campaign, but Mitsubishi says it will continue business as usual for the remainder of this season.